STUDY ABROAD INFORMATIONAL SESSION

ELEMENTARY SPANISH I - SPN1120PROF. WENDY MENDEZ-HASSELMAN

Travel Dates: March 1-9,2014

WHY JOIN US IN COSTA RICA? A great opportunity to make connections between content in Spanish 1120 material and real-life examples and experiences in an interactive and communicative approach.

You will be able to:

Apply what you’re learning in class to the real world

Experience geographical and physical contact with the Spanish language and culture

  Explore connections and comparisons in terms of culture, community, products and practices

Immerse yourself in a culture different than yourown and gain global awareness

Practice speaking Spanish!!! 

COURSE OUTLINE This is a hybrid course with a study

abroad component.

Course work will be covered in 12 weeks Feb. 3 – May 7, 2014

On campus once a week, Wed. 4-5:45 p.m.

Online, 12 weeks of assignments

9 days in Costa Rica, March 1-9, 2014

TRIP OUTLINE

9 days in Costa Rica

The capital city of San Jose

The Poas Volcano and National Park

Indigenous Community

The Costa Rica Entomological Supply (CRES)

The Costa Rica Humanitarian Foundation (CRHF)

Classroom instruction at the University for Peace

Language instruction and lectures from a PBSC professor

Host family accommodations

“Pura Vida Day”

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN COSTA RICAGROUP WILL BE PICKED UP AT THE SAN JOSE AIRPORT AND TRANSFERRED TO HOST FAMILIES’ HOMES

DAY 2:Morning

Poás Volcano and National Park

This visit will help students understand Costa Rica’s

eco-tourism efforts. Poás is one of the most visited

volcanoes in Costa Rica, because of the luxuriant

forest that surrounds the craters. The visit will include

a short hike in the cloud forest.

Afternoon

Visit Downtown San José

Most of our time in Costa Rica will be spent outside of urban areas.

The capital city of San Jose is the economic, cultural and political heart of the country.

DAY 3:

Morning

UN-mandated University for Peace Welcome to UPEACE and overview of week

Teambuilding and Leadership activities

Overview of Costa Rica

Campus tour and hike to peace monument

Afternoon

PBSC Faculty Session

Language learning will be complemented with field visits to local sites and organizations.

DAY 4:Morning

PBSC Faculty Session

Language learning will be complemented with field

visits to local sites and organizations.

Afternoon

Visit to an Indigenous Community

The small Huetar group is located at the top

of the Indigenous Reserve of Quitirrisí.

Their main economic activity is the crafts

with vegetal palm, and other fibers.

They are experts in the preparation of

vegetal colorants for the fiber dye.

DAY 5:

Morning

PBSC Faculty Session

Language learning will be complemented with field visits to local sites and organizations.

Afternoon

The Costa Rica Entomological Supply (CRES)

was the first commercial butterfly farm in Latin America. It operates as a small socially responsible business. Participants would see the butterfly farm before meeting with the general manager.

DAY 6:Morning

PBSC Faculty Session

Language learning will be complemented with field visits to local sites and organizations.

Afternoon

The Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation (CRHF)

The CRHF is a non-profit organization committed to developing creative and economical solutions to a wide range of social problems in Costa Rica. Students will have an opportunity to hear about the history of the community and participate in a service-learning project.

DAY 7:Morning

PBSC Faculty Session

Language learning will be complemented with field visits to local sites and organizations.

Afternoon

Free Afternoon, Service Learning, or planned field visit (TBD)

DAY 8:

‘Pura Vida Day’ (Free day) Several options on activities – beach, canopy tour (zip-lining), coffee plantation tour and more.

DAY 9:

Departure Day: Departure from San Jose Int’l Airport

1. FILL OUT AN APPLICATION:

YOUR NAME ON THE STUDENT APPLICATION MUST COMPLETELY MATCH THE NAME AS IT IS OR WILL BE ON YOUR PASSPORT, INCLUDING YOUR MIDDLE NAME. WE GIVE THE NAME THAT YOU ENTER ON YOUR APPLICATION TO THE TRAVEL PROVIDER FOR TICKET ISSUANCE. IF THE NAME YOU PROVIDE TO US DOES NOT EXACTLY MATCH THE NAME ON YOUR PASSPORT, YOU MAY BE DENIED BOARDING YOUR FLIGHT, OR THE AIRLINE COULD CHARGE YOU A LARGE FEE TO RE‐ISSUE YOUR TICKETS. THE COLLEGE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS OF YOUR NAME ON THE STUDY ABROAD APPLICATION.2. PASSPORT:IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A PASSPORT, INCLUDE A COPY OF THE ID PAGE WITH YOUR APPLICATION. IF YOU DON’T HAVE A PASSPORT, IT CAN TAKE UP TO 12 WEEKS TO GET ONE. PLAN ACCORDINGLY!!

Application/Passport information

1. BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION AND ALL OTHER SUBSEQUENT FORMS YOU AGREE TO ABIDE BY ALL PROGRAM RULES AND TO YOUR DEPOSITS FOR THE TRIP MUST BE SUBMITTED ACCORDING TO THE TIMELINES OF YOUR INDIVIDUAL SA PROGRAM.

2. THE IEC DIRECTOR AND/OR FACULTY/STAFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR DECLINE PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM.

3. THE COST OF ALL SA PROGRAMS IS BASED ON MULTI-OCCUPANCY. ALSO, DUE TO THE FLUCTUATION IN FOREIGN CURRENCY, FINAL PROGRAM COSTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 30 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE. PARTICIPANTS ARE LIABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS ABOVE THE ADVERTISED RATES

4. ALL PARTICIPATING STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND A PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION.

5. MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INSURANCE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL SA TRIPS WITH PBSC. THE COLLEGE HAS SECURED A VERY REASONABLE INSURANCE PLAN WITH GALLAGHER-KOSTER THAT WILL COVER YOU FOR YOUR TRIP. THE COST IS $37 FOR MOST STUDENTS DEPENDING ON AGE. THIS INSURANCE IS MANDATORY UNLESS YOU CAN OTHERWISE PROVE COVERAGE THROUGH YOUR OWN.

Program Information

1. APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION (DUE???)2. CONSENT TO RELEASE CONFIDENTIAL STUDENT RECORD INFORMATION3. STUDENT INFORMATION AND PASSPORT FORM (RM)4. EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION (RM)5. PHYSICIAN STATEMENT (RM)6. PERMISSION FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT (RM)7. RELEASE AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (RELEASES COLLEGE OF ALL LEGAL LIABILITIES, PLEASE READ CLOSELY) (RM)8. PHOTO/AUDIO/TEXT/VIDEO RELEASE9. DRUG, ALCOHOL, DISCIPLINE POLICY (ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS FOUND IN THE PBSC STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT HANDBOOK PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE STUDYING ABROAD)10. FERPA FORM

Forms to Fill Out (Applications and Risk Management ((RM)) Forms)

1. FOR ENTRY INTO COSTA RICA, YOU MUST PRESENT BOTH A VALID PASSPORT AND EITHER A ROUND-TRIP TICKET OR PROOF OF ONWARD TRAVEL TO ANOTHER COUNTRY.

2. COSTA RICAN IMMIGRATION NOW ALSO REQUIRES THAT YOU BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF AT LEAST $100 PER MONTH WHILE YOU ARE IN COSTA RICA AS A TOURIST. WHEN YOU LEAVE COSTA RICA, YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY A DEPARTURE TAX OF $29 USD.

Travel Requirements for Costa Rica

1. TUITION FOR COURSE: RESIDENT $428 NON-RESIDENT $1467

2. PROGRAM COST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS, SOME MEALS, SIDE TRIPS, RELATED ITINERARY, AIRPORT TRANSFERS AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION COSTS: __$1400____ P/P

3. PBSC ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS: _____ P/P

4. FLIGHT RATE: $500__ P/P

5. G-K INSURANCE: $37

6. COSTA RICA AIRPORT TAX: $29 P/P

7. INCIDENTALS (FOR MEALS NOT COVERED, SOUVENIRS, TIPS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES DURING FREE TIME, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS COSTS): TBD BY STUDENT ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.

TOTAL: ____________________

Program Costs

-1ST PAYMENT FOR INITIAL DEPOSIT OF $500 IS DUE 12/1/2013.-2ND PAYMENT OF $400 IS DUE 12/15/2013.-3RD PAYMENT OF $500 IS DUE 1/15/2014.-4TH AND FINAL PAYMENT OF $500 IS DUE 2/1/2014.

PROGRAMS COSTS

QUESTIONS?